New GE water heater with slow anode leak

I just installed a new GE gas water heater and thought all was well. A few hours later I checked and found a small drip type leak coming from the top of the anode rod. Having never messed with this device, I am wondering if I should take the water heater back and go through all that trouble or if I can simply tighten the hex nut (if I can find a large enough socket).

Shut the water off, drain down the tank a few gallons, then find the correct socket to remove the anode rod. Then, use teflon tape and wrap the threads on the anode rod along with teflon thread sealant and reinstall. Turn water back on to see if it still leaks.

You can actually have tech service come out and inspect this @ no charge to you. They cover this under the warranty. It might be a defective tank. If so, they will replace the water heater @ no charge to you.

just be sure that the problem is within their water
heater and not something to do with your plumbing installation
or will surely be charged... once the service tech finally arrives
and looks it over.

I suggest the guy does not fool with that leaking rod either,
or they might void use that for an excuse to void the waranty..

Perhaps it is simply a defective leaking water heater--it happens all the time

Now--If this fellow installed it himself,

he will most likely be given another new water heater in excahnge for the
bad one --- but he will have to take the bad one back to the place of purchase
for an exchange and then he will get to install it all over again....

now if some hardware store installed it for him ,
he might get it done for free.... sometime in the next 5-10 days
after the service tech looks it over...

MP Mark.............I believe you are correct about the issue of install if the heater needs to be completely changed out. The service guy will call GE and they will tell the owner to take it back to HD for an exchange. Only if an HD contractor installed it would that labor be covered.

So, even if the anode rod just needs some dope, the service company may call it a cracked boss and wash their hands of the whole thing!

The GE limited warranty on gas water heaters covers "Full 1-year in-home warranty - Covers all labor to fix or replace a defective water heater."; unless you get the real junk warranty of "6 years tank, 1 year parts" warranty.

The homeowner posted on Monday, It is now Thursday. I hope by this time he has at least called GE, or taken some other action to resolve this! I hope he posts back to let us know if any of our pontificating helped him out at all!